Acupuncture FAQs
Here are some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about acupuncture.
What can acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture is one of the main modalities used in East Asian medicine. Since this is a complete system of medicine, acupuncture can be used to treat and manage most conditions to varying extents.
The World Health Organization recognizes hundreds of conditions that acupuncture can treat. That list can be found HERE.
Some things commonly seen in the clinic include:
Musculoskeletal pain and injuries
Arthritis
Headaches
Gynecological issues (menopause-related symptoms, painful periods, irregular periods, PCOS, endometriosis, fertility and pregnancy support)
Sleep problems
Endocrine disorders (Thyroid diseases, diabetes, adrenal fatigue, etc…)
Digestive complaints (gas, bloating, IBS, SIBO colitis, constipation, diarrhea)
Nervous system and mental/emotional health concerns (anxiety, depression, stress, grief, lack of focus, foggy head)
Skin problems (aging, acne, rosacea, rashes, eczema)
Respiratory health (colds, allergies, sinusitis, cough, asthma, weakened immune system)
How does acupuncture work?
Our own Devan Torbert, LAc wrote an excellent blog post on this topic. You can find that HERE.
What is Qi (pronounced chee)?
This is a tough one because qi transcends language and concrete interpretation. It is most commonly thought to translate to the “energy” or “life force” that is within all living things. Qi is invisible to the naked eye, but is contained within every tissue of our bodies and travels with the blood in the vessels. Qi is responsible for growth and bodily processes, and disease is said to arise when the “flow” of qi in the body is blocked, if it is depleted, or if it behaves erratically. It can also be described as the interaction between the material aspects of the body (flesh, bones, and tissues) and the processes that act on them (metabolism, cellular respiration, etc).
Tell me about the needles…
Acupuncture needles are sterilized, single-use, and tiny! They are about the width of two hairs. For those who are nervous about hypodermic needles (needles for blood draw/ injections) acupuncture needles can fit inside one of those! These needles are very SMALL in comparison to other needles.
Another question that comes up frequently is if there is any medicinal substance in the needles that makes them work, and the answer is, NOPE! Just medical grade stainless steel and a little intention.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Generally acupuncture does not hurt, but it is very important to get acupuncture done by a trained professional, such as those at Weave Wellness, as we have years of experience and education to teach us how to use these tools properly. With acupuncture, you may feel a slight dull sensation, heaviness, or pulsating around the acupuncture points. Sometimes a small sharpness is felt just on the needle insertion. Each sensation is based on the tissue type we are working with. Comfortable sensations are a positive sign, indicating that the point is active with qi. Sensations are normal but pain is not.
How many needles do you use during a visit?
The average amount of needles is between 15-30 per treatment. Although sometimes we may use as few as 4 and in rare cases, as many as 100. Of course, we will never do anything that’s past your comfort level or without discussing specifics with you first.
Are there any associated risks?
Risks and side effects associated with acupuncture are generally pretty low. The most common side effect people can experience after a treatment is a feeling of drowsiness or fogginess, so it’s advised to plan treatments on days where you don’t have a lot of vigorous physical/mental activity to do afterwards. Some people can experience dizziness or fainting with acupuncture, but this is very uncommon and usually only happens on the first visit.
Some people may also get bruising around the needle insertion sites, but this often fades within a few days. Sometimes folks may actually experience a temporary increase in soreness after treatment. This usually happens when specific muscles are targeted and released.
What are other techniques do you use in a treatment?
Is there anything else you can do if I don’t like needles?
Acupuncture is just one of the many therapies licensed acupuncturists are trained to do!
Other things include:
Prescribing herbal medicine
Bodywork (shiatsu massage, tuina massage, cranialsacral therapy, visceral work)
Cupping and gua sha
Moxibustion
Holistic health coaching (includes dietary and lifestyle advice)
Energy work
Depending on the length of the visit, we will most likely incorporate some of these other techniques because they all work beautifully together. If needles are an absolute no-no for you, we can perform non-insertive acupuncture techniques with a combination of the therapies listed above to get you feeling great.
How many treatments will I need?
Duration and complexity of a problem generally indicate how much treatment is needed. Age of the patient can also be a factor. I usually tell people to get on board for a course of treatment (6-12 visits), and at the end of the course we will reevaluate to see if you need to continue or if you can be released from care. A rule of thumb is for every year you’ve had a problem, one month of treatment is necessary, although miracles sometimes happen and a problem is resolved after a visit or two.
Do you accept insurance?
We do! Currently we are in-network with regional carriers such as Pacific Source, Providence, ASH, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Regence/Blue Cross Blue Shield. We are still in the process of getting in-network with MODA, First Choice Health Network, and CareOregon (out-of-network) and hope to be able to accept these companies soon.
We also accept Motor Vehicle Accident claims (MVA) and FSA/HSA cards.
For more information about insurance and our financial policies, read our page HERE.
Still have questions? Drop us an email or reach out by phone for a free consultation.
The Benefits of Acupuncture
With increasing popularity and access via insurance coverage, those of you who have never tried acupuncture might be curious to know how it can improve your health. Whether you’re looking for more preventative care, maintenance care, or corrective care, acupuncture is an incredibly safe therapy with a wide variety of benefits.